Best Vegetarian Minestrone Soup
A hearty, vegetable-packed soup simmered to perfection with beans, pasta, and fresh herbs, delivering a bowl of comforting goodness in every spoonful. This Italian-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, white beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz, drained) white beans
- 1/2 cup ditalini pasta
- 2, diced into 1/4-inch pieces carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 2 cups, chopped kale
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice), and 1 can drained white beans.
- Step 3: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Add 1/2 cup ditalini pasta and simmer for 8 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 cups chopped kale and 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and cook for 3 minutes until kale is wilted and tender.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp nutritional yeast for a savory umami boost. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot with a sprinkle of extra thyme.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Vegetarian Minestrone Soup take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Vegetarian Minestrone Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Vegetarian Minestrone Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Vegetarian Minestrone Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Best Vegetarian Minestrone Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
